ESPN College GameDay Will Potentially Visit Provo
The network is considering a return to Provo for the October 17, 2026, matchup between BYU and Notre Dame.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Football
Live Poll
Should major national pregame shows prioritize featuring teams from smaller college markets?
ESPN may bring College GameDay to Provo on October 17, 2026, for the highly anticipated game between BYU and Notre Dame. Both teams are projected to potentially enter the contest with undefeated records.
Why it matters
The matchup carries significant implications for the College Football Playoff, making it a primary candidate for the program's weekly selection. ESPN selects travel locations based on overall game schedules and competitive intrigue.
College GameDay last visited Provo in 2009. The show most recently featured BYU during their 2025 appearance at Texas Tech, a game BYU won 29-7.
The players
Rece Davis
He is a prominent television host and anchor for ESPN who leads the College GameDay podcast.
BYU
Brigham Young University is a private research university that competes in college football.
Notre Dame
The University of Notre Dame is a private Catholic research university with a historic college football program.
The details
ESPN College GameDay hosts are eyeing LaVell Edwards Stadium as a potential site for their October broadcast. Rece Davis leads the podcast team as the network weighs which games offer the most competitive value for their traveling production.
Timeline
College GameDay last broadcast from Provo in 2009.
BYU appeared on College GameDay at Texas Tech in 2025.
BYU plays Notre Dame on October 17, 2026.
Season Trajectory
A potential visit would underscore the rising national profile of the BYU football program within the modern playoff era. This selection would follow the precedent set by the 2009 College GameDay broadcast in Provo, highlighting how the program has re-emerged on the national stage.
If the broadcast is confirmed, fans should anticipate significant traffic and security adjustments around LaVell Edwards Stadium. The outcome of the BYU-Notre Dame game will directly impact the standing of both teams in the College Football Playoff rankings.
The takeaway
The selection of a GameDay site is a major indicator of a program's current competitive standing in the college football landscape. Fans should monitor official announcements from ESPN management as the game date approaches.
Further reading
For more on the latest developments, visit the Football section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Deseret News.
Live Poll
Should major national pregame shows prioritize featuring teams from smaller college markets?
